Daughter: Comedian Joan Rivers’ Condition ‘Remains Serious’

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) —Joan Rivers remains in a New York City hospital Friday, one day after going into cardiac arrest at a doctor’s office.

Rivers’ daughter Melissa Rivers said in a statement Friday that her mother’s condition “remains serious,” but she is receiving the “best treatment and care possible.”

“My mother would be so touched by the tributes and prayers that we have received from around the world,” the statement read. “We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts as we pray for her recovery.”

Rivers was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital Thursday morning after she went in for a procedure on her vocal cords at the Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic.

Sources told CBS 2 the 81-year-old comedian stopped breathing during the throat procedure and was in cardiac arrest when she was rushed from the clinic to Mount Sinai. She was revived by paramedics.

Comedian Joan Rivers Remains Hospitalized

CBS 2’s Dr. Max Gomez said even if Rivers’ throat procedure was promised to be routine and outpatient, risks of serious complications are always present.

“There could be heart arrhythmias. Breathing can stop. You never know,” Gomez said. “And also, the elderly tend to metabolize medications a little bit differently.”

A long line of TV trucks, lights, and cameras were seen on Madison Avenue outside of Mt. Sinai’s main entrance on Friday, where fans told CBS 2’s John Slattery that they were pulling for Rivers to recover.

“I’m here to see my dad, who is actually coming home, so I know how her family must be feeling,” said Lisa Jacobelli, who was visiting the hospital late Friday, “and so I’m praying that everything goes OK.”

“Joan, I love you and wish you the very best,” Carol Phillips said.

A close friend of Rivers, Marjorie Stern, declined to comment as she left the hospital Friday afternoon, saying she could not tell CBS 2’s Slattery how Rivers was doing or whether she was able to see Rivers.

The Brooklyn-born comedian with a half-century of show business under her belt has spawned a reputation for often-snarky red carpet fashion commentary. A show she had scheduled Friday at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey, has been postponed.

Rivers spoke at an employee event at Time Inc. in New York on Wednesday night and appeared healthy, practically jogging when she walked in to take her seat, Shira Blum, an online project manager, said Thursday.

“She seemed totally healthy,” Blum said. “She was very energetic, hilarious, funny. And it was such a shock, a surprise to hear the news this morning.”

Rivers took questions and said she wakes up every morning and “is thankful that everything works,” Blum said.

An early and outspoken proponent of cosmetic surgery, Rivers’ drastically altered her appearance over the years and found plenty of material for jokes. (”I’ve had so much plastic surgery, when I die they will donate my body to Tupperware.”)

The host of “Fashion Police” on E! network, Rivers also presides over an online talk show, “In Bed With Joan” and co-stars with her daughter on the WEtv reality show, “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?”